Kirkwood Hamilton Denham

KIRKWOOD H. ("Kirk) DENHAM On Tuesday, July 15, 2014, KIRK DENHAM, of Woodbridge, VA, passed away peacefully. Kirk was born on June 10, 1918 in Wendell, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ethel H. and James E. Denham, brother, James Denham (Fern), sisters Mildred Mittendorf (Jack) and Maxine Smith (Barney) and former wife, Florence L. Denham. Kirk worked for General Electric ("GE") his entire career from 1940-1982. Kirk was a dedicated GE employee and was known throughout the metropolitan Washington area as "the GE man," selling kitchen appliances and washers and dryers to all the area homebuilders. There wasn't a home builder in the area that didn't know Kirk as he called upon all of them, big or small, apartment or home builder, rehab or new construction -- they were all his potential customers and many became his friend and customer alike throughout the years. Active throughout his career at GE with the National Home Builders Association, Kirk further solidified relationships he made in the field and participated in fundraising and community activities for the Association. He won many sales awards throughout his career, but he was most proud of the award in 1972 where he was honored at a banquet dinner in Louisville, KY, headquarters of the Home Appliance Division of GE, of the coveted V. E. McNeese Award as the top salesman for GE. It was the highlight of his GE career to have received the recognition for all his dedication to the company and to his customers, new and old alike. Kirk's first job at GE in 1940 was with the General Electric Supply in Washington, DC doing repairs on refrigeration and small appliances. While there he regularly was called to The White House to work on the refrigeration, with President Harry Truman greeting him several times. He was activated into service in 1945 with the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge, due to injury, and his long rehabilitation, he returned directly to General Electric. He was founder and president of the Ernie Pyle Chapter of Disabled American Veterans. Kirk was a strong, healthy and strapping man, who never was sick until his 90th year. He mostly enjoyed tending to the yard work and his garden, taking pride in his labors of love of the beautiful landscaped shrubs, azaleas and cut grass. He also was an avid Redskins fan and missed his former miniature Poodles, Bo Jangles I and II over the last few years. Kirk leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 48 years, Phyllis W. Denham, his devoted son, James K. Denham, Silver Spring, MD and daughter, Janice McDonald (Tony) of Myrtle Beach, SC, his loving stepchildren, Kathleen W. Cramer (Robert) of Frederick, MD, R. Craig Warren (Beth) of Moneta, VA and Therese M. Cranwell (John) of Woodbridge, VA, his grandchildren, Pamela Spell (Darian), Heather Lumsden (Michael), Janos A. Sipos, Robert E. Warren, Brett P. Warren (Chelsea) and his beautiful great grandchildren, Addison Spell and Lindsey Spell , Craig Keith Roberts, Carmen Lumsden, Sean Lumsden, Kirk James Lumsden, Mason Warren and Rylee Warren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family gratefully acknowledges the care and support given to Mr. Denham by Vicky Newman and her staff of angels at Aspen Hill Assisted Living. Visitation and services will be held at National Memorial Park Cemetery, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA with visitation at 11:00 AM, services at 1:00 PM, with Interment following immediately thereafter and reception to follow.